What can a vibrant health ministry look like?

Rev. Dr. Ken Robinson of St. Andrew African Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee was recently interviewed by HopeandHealing.org in an article titled Soulful Messengers about his congregation’s health ministry activities. Every congregation reading this article can find something that inspires them to try something new.

Physicians and Prayer

This is a link to a great article from Religion & Ethics Newsweekly that features interviews from several physicians in Memphis, Tennessee, including the Founder and Executive Director of the Church Health Center, Rev. Dr. Scott Morris.

Proper 21/Ordinary 26 – James 5:15-16

From James 5:15-16 – The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise up them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

In reading this passage today, I am struck that as people of faith we have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable to each other…able to confess our shortcomings to one another as well as to pray with one another.

Prayer:

Almighty God, give us the confidence to be vulnerable to one another. AMEN.

H1N1-Swine Flu and Faith Communities

H1N1, or the Swine Flu, is already making its presence known weeks before the vaccine is available. While it has not proven to be a more dangerous strain of flu, it is affecting persons not normally considered at primary risk for the flu. There is much fear surrounding this outbreak, and the best way to combat fear is with reliable information.

My friends at HopeandHealing.org have compiled articles related to swine flu and what the faith community can do. There is also a link to the Centers for Disease Control H1N1 site that keeps up-to-date information readily available. Be sure to bookmark Churches Respond to Swine Flu.

Making Crosses – Art and Healing

Feature article at www.hopeandhealing.org titled Creative Healing discusses how one can find healing through creating art.

Right Care at the Right Time

This thoughtful article by Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal in Memphis highlights a challenge faced by uninsured Americans – getting care before it is too late. This has complicated societal and financial implications. I think this article also provides an interesting beginning point for a discussion on how our faith traditions inform our opinions on health reform.

One couple’s story…

A new article at HopeandHealing.org

Loving God with Your Body

Mary Cay Oyler is a valued coworker of mine at Church Health Center. Not only does this article help you see how faith and health are intertwined, but it also gives insight into the wonderful work we do at our prevention and wellness ministry known as Hope & Healing. Enjoy, Butch

Care for Caregivers

A visitor to my blog asked me about caring for caregivers. This article posted by my friends at HopeandHealing.org is titled “Care for Your Caregiver.” I think it is the kind of article nurses and other medical professionals could give to their patients in long-term care as a way to advocate for the family member or friend who is their primary caregiver.

If you have a special article or advice to offer caregivers or those in their care, I hope you will comment here and link to the article so others may learn. Peace, Butch

The Church and Mental Illness

My friends at HopeandHealing.org are featuring articles on mental illness throughout the month of May. Marja Bergen writes and blogs about living with bipolar disorder and the roles faith communities have played. Read an excerpt from her book, A Firm Place to Stand. You can also check out her blog. Click on Roller Coaster in my blog roll.

Congregations and Pandemics

My friends at HopeandHealing.org have posted an article by Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson titled “The Role of Worshipping Congregations Amid Pandemic.” Dr. Gunderson is a leading voice in the faith and health movement and offers wonderful insight into the strength of congregations.

Health Ministry with Teenagers

With the school year winding down, you might be developing summer programming for the teenagers of your faith community. I encourage to read Deborah Patterson’s ariticle, Health Ministry with Teenagers and consider some of her suggestions for helping teenagers with some of their unique health issues.

Swine Flu and Faith Communities

My friends at HopeandHealing.org have compiled articles related to swine flu and what the faith community can do. Be sure to take a look at Churches Respond to Swine Flu.

You can also find a good link the CDC’s swine flu site from an earlier post on this blog.